Improvement in portable fences



L M.0VERPECK.

Portable-Fences.

No.157,2l4. v PatentdNov.24,1874,

WITNESSES THE GRAPHIC CO,FOTO:LlTPLSQIuLI PARKIPLACE, MY,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. OVERPEGK, OF GRATIS, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN PORTABLE FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,214, dated November 24, 1874 application filed August 18, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. OVERPECK, of Gratis, in the county of Preble and in the State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a portable suspension-fence, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, in which- Figure'l is a side elevation of my fence. Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 an end view, of the same.

The panels of my fence are each composed of a series of horizontal boards, A A, secured to uprights B B at the ends, said uprights extending a suitable distance above the top board. In the center of the fence-panel is secured an upright batten, 0, extending flush with the upper edge of the top board and lower edge of the bottom board of the panel.

The top of the fence-panel is provided with a horizontal brace, D, on each side, the ends of said braces being fastened to the top board, and their centers sprung outward, as shown at 2, one by passing on the outside of the batten O, and the other by passing on the outside of a block, a, inserted between it and the top board.

The top board of the fence-panel may be dispensed with, and the braces D D sprung outward in the center by means of blocks inserted between them, the ends of said braces being in that case secured to the end uprights B B. This arrangement of braces strengthens the fence-panel, and renders it firm and durable.

The fence panels thus constructed, are locked at each end to two braces, E E, which cross each other near their upper ends, by means of a clamp or stirrup, I), passing around the cross, and straddle the uprights B of two adjoining panels. A link or slotted bar cl, is then passed over the ends of the stirrup I), and wedge-shaped pins 6 6 passed through holes or mortises in the ends of the stirrup, whereby all the parts are firmly locked together. A pin, h, is passed through the upper ends of the adjacent uprights B immediately above the stirrup b, for additional security. The braces or legs E E are held in the desired position by means of a cross-bar, G, which is provided with a series of notches, 00 w, in its upper edge to receive the boards of the panels next above it, the ends of the crossbar being then fastened to the legs. By the means of these notches the fence may be easily adjusted to sidling or uneven ground, and the cross-bar may be fastened in different holes on the legs to adjust the fence to the ground on which it is being set.

By using only the two top boards of each panel, a cheap and economical fence can be made for the purpose of turning cattle. A paling fence may also be constructed and supported in the same manner.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with the posts B B, of two fence-panels, and the crossed braces E E of the spring-stirrup b, with eyes in each end, the loop d passing over the ends of the stirrup, the detachable keys 0 c, and pin h, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of July, 1874.

JOHN M. OVEBPEOK.

WVitnesses A. STIVER, SAMUEL MILLER. 

